DEPT. OF AG. ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT

SB 214 updates New Mexico's Department of Agriculture enforcement authority by establishing a standardized system for administrative penalties for violations of agricultural laws. It requires fines to consider factors like violation severity, frequency, and environmental impact, with potential license suspension for non-payment or repeated offenses. The bill also amends pesticide regulations to clarify registration requirements for distributors, including mandatory labeling details and fee structures, while updating certification rules for private pesticide applicators. These changes directly affect pesticide businesses, agricultural license holders, and entities distributing agricultural products under state oversight.